Apparatus for reactions in a contact mass



yT. P. slMPsoN ErAL 2,417,399 APPARATUS FOR REAQTIONS `IN A CONTACT MASSI Filed June 17. 1942 l 2 Sheets-Sheet l 'March 11, 1947,

March vll, 1947. r P. slMPsoN Erm. 2,417,399

APPARATUS FOR REACTIONS IN A CONTACT MASS Filed June 17, 1942 2.sheets-sheet 2 to any reaction Patented Mar. 11,1947

UNITED STAT APPARATUS FOR REACTIONS IN A CONTACT MASS Thomas P. Simpson,

P. Evans, Woodbury, N'. Vacuum Oil Company,

ration of New York John W. Payne, and Louis J., assignors to Socony-Incorporated, a corpo- Application `lune 17, 1942, Serial No. 447,432Claims. (Cl. 23-288) This invention has to do with a method andapparatus for carrying out reactions involving a contact mass ofgranular or particle form and vaporous reactants. It is particularlyconcerned with apparatus of this general nature wherein the contact massflows either continuously or semi-continuously through the reactionzone. This apparatus is applicable to anyconversion of this general typeand is specifically applicable to such operations as the vapor phaseconversion of high boiling point petroleum hydrocarbons to lower boilingpoint hydrocarbons, to Vapor phase oxidation of organic compounds, topolymerization of vaporous compositions and in general which may becarried out by contacting of a reactant material in vapor phase with acatalytic material which may take the form of a contact mass material orwhich may be deposited within or upon such a contact mass material.Since many such reactions require regeneration of the contact mass usedand since such regeneration usually likewise takes the form of a contactof gaseous or vaporous reactant with a contact mass, the apparatus andmethod is also capable of being utilized for such regenerations. As aspecific example of a conversion which may be accomplished, there may becited the above mentioned conversion oi high boiling point petroleumfractions to gasoline. Such conversions are usually carried out in thepresence Iof an adsorbent refractory contact mass consisting ofassociated alumina and silica in granular or pellet form. Such contactmasses are frequently referred to as clays. As a specific example ofregeneration reactions, there may be mentioned the regeneration of theabove contact mass by reacting it with air or oxygen containing gas toremove from it combustible carbonaceous deposits laid down during theconversion.

Proper utilization of contact masses in such processes requires a rathercomplete diffusion of vaporous reactants into the contact mass. It alsorequires the capability of passing comparatively large volumes ofgaseous reactants through the apparatus Without undue pressure drop. Informer designs, it usually has been found necessary to sacrifice one ofthese desirable features to some extent in favor of the o-ther. Forexample, in a process wherein the reactants are passed through arelatively deep bed of contact mass, limited space velocities ofreactant were necessary both to avoid undue pressure drop and -to avoidspace velocities at which the carrying effect of a reactant would besuch as to bring about -boiling"-of thecontact mass-Withconand accessorifices 2l.

This invention has for its principal object the v provision of apparatuswherein vaporous reactants may be contacted with a moving solid columnof contact mass material in such manner as to insure complete andcontrolled diffusion of such reactant through such contact massmaterial, While at the same time capable of attaining relatively highrates of reactant throughput coupled with relatively low overallpressure drops.

This object and other objects, as will be pointed out hereinafter, havebeen obtained by the development of an apparatus which may be morereadily understood byreferring to the several drawings attached to thisspecication, in which drawings Figure 1 is a highly diagrammaticrepresentation of the apparatus. Figure 2 is a detailed showing of aportion of the apparatus and Figure 3 is an isometric drawing showing ingeneral the arrangements of the apparatus by setting forth in pictureform certain portions thereof.

Referring now to Figure 1, this figure represents in diagram form anapparatus according to this invention for the contacting of gasi-formreactants with a iiowing solid column of granular or particle formrefractory contact mass. In this drawing I0 represents the casing orshell of the reactor and the portion between the two lines II representsone section thereof. A reactor dependent upon conditions and capacitiesto be met may consist of one or more sections similar to thatbetweenfthe lines II; only one` such section Will be explained indetail. At the bottom of this section gasi-form reactants are introducedthrough pipe I2, are led from pipe I2 into vapor distributor boxes I3,pass upwardly from vapor distributor boxes I3 into vapor distributortubes I4 which are closed at their tops as at I5, pass from tubes Illthrough orifices i6 and are distributed' into the contact mass throughdistributor channels I7. Between Vapor distributor boxes I3 at thebottom there are found vapor pick-up boxes I3, from each of which thereextends upwardly vapor pick-up tubes I9, each provided with a pluralityof collector channels 2i! Vapor having passed through contact masscollects under collectors 2li, rpasses through orifices 2| into tubes I9and passes upwardly through tubes I9 into vapor Ythe distributorchannels 'orifice 2 i f their upper ends into vapor collector box 22,which Y I and vapor collector *l* a collector boxes 22 and from thenceinto vapor outlet duct 23. Solid contact mass material flowing downthrough reactor shell completely fills the space between and around thedistributor tubes I4 and the collector tubes I9 in a manner hereinafterdescribed, except, for .spaces under I1 and the collector channels 2Q..Y

Turning to Figure 2, Scale detailV oi that portion of Figure l indicatedby the dotted line 2 2, namely, covering that pair of distributor andcollector tubes at the left hand .side of Figure 1. In` Figure 2,A wefind the,v reactor shell it to be composed; oi anouter case ing plate2s, a thickness of insulation 25 and. an inner plate E5. At the bottomof the section shown, we nd one vapor distributor boxfI... This.y

box,rmade of thin sheet metal, has the formof there is shown here alarge f member 3.1 andr the lremove adventitious solid material fromcollector a gable roofed box. ltis open at its end in-to a..Y`

Vapor inlet duct running in `a position indicated by the dottedy linesI2. Upwardly from vapor distributor box I3, there runs vapor distributortube I4, regularly spaced g along this vapor distributor tube I4,supported thereby and at right angles thereto, series of Vapordistributor channels Il and under each channel there is an oriiice i5 intube I. The

upper ends of these tubes It are plugged at I5. Alternately with vapordistributor boxes I3 are mounted Vapor pick-up channels is shown.Upwardly from vapor collector tubes. I9, which tubes Ia are equipped atspaced intervals with vapor collector channels 2t, under each of whichthere is an Vapor collector tubes I9 are open at vapor collector boxleads tovapor outlet 23,1 The space around andbetween vapor distributortubes tubes I9 is lled with downwardly iiowingk contact mass in the formof a descending column solidly extending throughout free space in thereactor except for those spaces under the distributor channels I I andthe collector channels 2t. Thecolumn ofV solid material in its downwardowisinfluenced by the construction aiorded by the alternate boxes I3.and i at the bottom of the section which together extend entirelyacross the. reactor in the form of a Y grid or grate andieave betweenthem passages 21 down which the. contact mass material may flow. As willbe seen from: consideration of Figures l and 2 together, the form andplacing of .theseV boxes the bottom oi the section is suchthat they tendto exert a distributing action. `'.[V'urning specically to vaporcollector channel i8, this channel is not connected to any 4externalductV except by tubes I9. and its volume,V and shape are thosedetermined by its function as a companion in. the distributor group.arrangement with the box i3. Box I3. is provided internally with astiiener 2l, and. channel I8r is equipped with stifiener 2t, whichextends externally as a spacer to maintain slots 2t. The flowOireactants is clearly shown by dotted ,arrows at 3). Passing` upwardlythrough a distributor tube. Iii,

V4reaetant vapor willv pass outwardlyY through an oriiice therein,distribute under the distributor channel thereover and will pass underthis distributor channel into the adjacent solid moving column ofcontactmass. vA portion willl move upwardly, be caught under thecollector-channel v next iucwardlyV adiacenuspass from thence into aicollector tube iii and` pass. vertically upward through thatcollectorrtube. Another portion will vpass downwardlyY and similarlyfind its wayinto behind the reactor shell there is a I8, one. ofv whichlbox I8 there extends Y Y that in its. passage Yoi such boxes above a rowf asolidI bed or oo a collector tube through the collector channel nextadjacent downwardly. Arrangements at the top of the section will be mostclearly visualized by reference to Figure 3, wherein like parts aregiven the same numerals as in Figures 1 and 2 andthe type of view issuch asto clearly set forth in a three dimensional way, the relation ofthe several parts of the apparatus. At the top of this view vaporcollector boxes 22 are seen to be composed each of a channel member V3linto which all of; the tubes, both the distributor tubes It and thecollector tubes i9 are led, the distributor tubes being yplugged howeverat this end, and ora. hoodmember 32 which cooperates with Vchannel 3ito. form vapor collector boxes 22. A slot-.33 provided on each sidebetween channel yhood member 32 serves to bcxt., Collector boxes bed.This. relatively solid bed serves to isolate one section from. anotherin a multi-sectionreactor. It will also be quite evidentfromconsideration of` Figure 3, how channels I3 and boxes I8 .cooperate toform a tact mass at the bottom of the. section, as well as to-visualizehow thesuperimposition of a row of vapor collector boxes 2t will serveto secure adequate distribution-oi contactmass in amulti-sectionreactor; I ,Y

in some cases the heatcontrol of the reaction beingV carried on withinthe reactor mayv `be desired. In such cases since we have a.. moving icolumn of contactmass material, it isA quite con;- venient to eifecstsuch heat control by adjusting the temperatureof the contact massbetween sections in a multi-section reactor or v,at the inlet end of asingle section reactor. With the construction herein shown, this` isquite readily. eiected. by 'inserting heat transfer. tubes in the.reactor. in such position. that the moving column of contact mass passesacross them.. Theyy will normally be; installedl between vapor collectorboxes 22 and the bank. of distributor boxes I3 and pick-up channels Itimmediately fabove.. In Figure 2` such a cooler, for a multi-sectionreas-- tor, is shownby tubes .35', llty will, oli.v ccurse-,beunderstood that in thisposition Iitgris `assinned that. Figure 2 shows.arrportio'n. of a multi-section reactor,A Y it s obvious thatA if,Figure l2 vwere directed only topa single section reactorlr inwhichcontrolof:V contact mass. temperature desired priorA toL entryoa-reaction section, that .tubes as 35 could be Vmounted Ysimilarlyupwardly ofyapor collector boxes22.-f Y y V y This design of reactor hascertain-very definite'advantagesin connection with reactions betweenvaporousv or gaseous reactants and solid' contact massmaterial inVpellet or particle;` form, fRetinning to-the arrows. tnin-Figurez, wefndfrornf a distributor tubei toi a thellreactant must: pass thrci-.lghY lntactl mass materialefThisfpassage results in an, intimateldiusicnofthere-`V actant Ythrouglfiout theVVV contact mass material.On-the other hand, we findthatthe average deptnof contacty massVmaterial through" which collector tube,

damrning action. at. this distributing means for conthe reactant mustpass is only of the depth of contact mass material between a distributortrough and the next adjacent collector trough, that is to say, in anapparatus where the troughs have a 12" spacing, the average depth ofcontact mass through which reactants must pass is around 6 or so.Consequently, very considerable volumes of reactants with respect tovolume of Contact mass may be handled at relatively low pressure dropswhile securing a forced complete diffusion of the reactant through a.solid bed of contact mass. Similarly since the descending contact masstends to be redistributed continuously by flowing around the distributorand collector troughs and is continuously resubjected to reactants,there is achieved a very complete utilization of contact mass whichwould not normally be possible in relatively quiescent beds of Contactmass having no greater depth than the dimensions suggested herein whensubjected to the same high space velocities of reactants.

We claim:

1. In a contacting apparatus, means dening a substantially verticalchamber, a plurality of inlet deectors arranged in a plurality ofvertical series in said chamber, a plurality of outlet deectors arrangedin a series parallel to between each two series of inlet deiiectors,each of said deflectors comprising means dening an inverted trough, aplurality of vertical inlet tubes passing through each deector of eachseries of inlet deflectors, a plurality of vertical outlet tubes passingthrough each dei-lector of each series of outlet deiiectors, each ofsaid tubes being perforated to provide communication between theinterior thereof and the space below each deflector through which itpasses, duct means to admit uid to each of said inlet tubes and ductmeans to withdraw uid from each of said outlet tubes.

2. In a contacting apparatus, means defining a substantially verticalchamber, a plurality of inlet deflectors arranged in a plurality ofvertical series in said chamber, a plurality of outlet deectors arrangedin a series parallel to and between each two series of inlet deectors,each of said deectors comprising means defining an inverted trough` aplurality of vertical inlet tubes passing through each deector of eachseries of inlet deflectors, a plurality of vertical outlet tubes passingthrough each deflector of each series of outlet delectors, each of saidtubes being perforated to provide communication between the interiorthereof and the space below each deflector n through which it passes,duct means to admit iluid to each of said inlet tubes and duct means towithdraw fluid from each of said outlet tubes, one of said duct meanscomprising a plurality of parallel horizontal ducts each having anupwardly extending angular roof section whereby the horizontal ducts areadapted to distribute solid particles passing therebetween.

3. In a contacting apparatus, means defining a substantially verticalchamber, a plurality of inlet deilectors arranged in a plurality ofvertical series in said chamber, a plurality of outlet deectors arrangedin a series parallel to and between each two series of inlet deectors,each of said deectors comprising means defining an inverted trough, aplurality of vertical inlet tubes passing through each deflector of eachseries of 4. In a contacting apparatus, means defining a substantiallyvertical elongated chamber, a plurality of vertically spaced groups ofdeflectors, each deflector comprising means defining an inverted trough,said deectors in each group being arranged in a plurality ofsubstantially parallel vertically extending series placed side by sideacross said chamber, for each group a plurality of vertical inlet tubespassing through each deector of alternate vertical series, a pluralityof vertical outlet tubes passing through each deector of each series ofoutlet delectors, each of said tubes being' perforated to providecommunication between the interior thereof and the space below eachdeector through which it passes, duct means to admit uid to each of saidinlet tubes and duct means t'o withdraw iiuid from each of said outlettubes.

5. In a gas-solid contacting apparatus, means defining a substantiallyvertical elongated chamber, a plurality of vertically spaced groups oisubstantially horizontal deecters within said chamber, each delectorcomprising means dening an inverted trough, said delectors in each groupbeing arranged in a plurality of substantially parallel verticallyextending series placed side by side across said chamber, each of saiddefiectors being disposed on a horizontal level in termediate thehorizontal level of adjacent deflectors of an adjacent series ofdeiiectors, said groups of deilectors being spaced vertically apart asubstantially greater vertical distance than the vertical distancebetween adjacent deflectors in adjacent vertical series thereof, foreach group of delectors a plurality of vertical inlet tubes passingthrough each deflector of each series of alternate vertical series andcommunicating with the l space below the deflectors through which theypass, a plurality of vertical outlet tubes passing through eachdeiiector of each other vertical series and communicating with the'spacebelow the delectors through which they pass, separate means to introduceinlet gas to said inlet tubes in each group and separate means towithdraw gas from said outlet tubes in each group.

THOMAS P. SIlllllDSQli.y JOHN W. PAYNE. LOUIS BEVANS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

